Window unit



Oct. 9, 1962 Filed March 28, 1960 H. HEWIT 3,057,023

WINDOW UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 3

64 I INVENTOR. 74 LEROY H. HEW'T M Hm 2Q ATTOR N EY Oct. 9, 1962 H.HEWlT 3,057,023

WINDOW UNIT Filed March 28, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 4

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INVENTOR. LEROY H. HEWIT BY M ATTORNEY tat Filed Mar. 28, 196i Ser. No.17,950 6 Claims. (Cl. 20-55) This invention relates to housingstructures, and more particularly to a storm window unit.

It is an object of this invention to provide a window unit which isconvertible into a storm window unit.

It is another object of this invention to provide a combined stormwindow unit having a removable screen and removable window panels.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a window unit whichis convertible into a storm window unit with a minimum of effort.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in thedrawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood,however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of applicants novel window unit.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 33 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 44 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines '55 in FIGURE1.

FIGURE 6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the lines 66 ofFIGURE 1, with the elements shown on an enlarged scale.

Referring to the drawing, where like numerals indicate like elements,there is shown a window unit in FIGURE 1 designated by the numeral 16.

Window unit 10 is of rectangular shape and comprises a pair of parallelside members 12 and 14, and a pair of parallel cross members 16 and 18.The side members 12 and 14, the top cross member 16 and the bottom crossmember 18 are all made from extruded aluminum. Each of the members 12,14, 16, and 18 are provided with a beveled edge on their extremitieswhich cooperate with a bevel edge on an adjacent member to provide amiter joint. Thus, it will be seen that side member 14 and bottom crossmember 18 are provided with a bevel edge which are joined together by aweld 20. The side member 12 and 14, the top cross member 16 and thebottom cross member 18 cooperate together to form the window frame.Intermediate the side members '12 and 14, there is provided a centersupport post 22 which is connected at its extremities to the top crossmember 16 and the bottom cross member 18.

Referring to FIGURE 2, it will be seen that the side member 12 is anintegral extruded member comprising an end wall 24, side walls 26 and28, and a flange 30. The flange 36 is provided with longitudinal grooves31 which assist in securing the flange 30 into a wall of a building. Theside wall 26 includes integral flanges which form a groove 32 whichextends the full length of the side member 12. Extending from theflanges on side wall 26, there is provided a wall parallel to end wall24, and a radially extending flange 34. The purpose of radiallyextending flange 34 will be made clear hereinafter.

Extending from the side wall 26, there is provided an extension 36 inthe same plane as side wall 26. Positioned within the extension 36,there is provided a screen frame 38 which is of rectangularconfiguration. The

33,657,623 Patented Oct. 9, 1962 screen frame 38 supports a screen 42. Aweather stripping seal 46 is provided at the juncture of the screenframe 38 and the screen 42. The screen frame 38 is hollow and isprovided with a pull tab 44. The pull tab 44 extends through the hollowscreen frame 38 and is provided with an end 48 which is disposed withingroove 32. The pull tab 44 is provided with a limit stop 46. The limitstop 46 is positioned on the pull tab 44 within the hollow screen frame38. The pull tab 44 releasably secures the screen frame 33 to the sidemember 12. By pulling on the pull tab in a direction away from groove32, the end 48 will be withdrawn from. the groove 32. The limit stop 46limits the extent of movement for the pull tab 44 in relation to thescreen frame 38. The screen frame 38 is provided with a pair of offsetshoulders 49.

A movable sash 50 is provided in the side member 12 between the flange34 and the side wall 28. The sash 54 is provided on each side with aT-shaped groove 52. The groove 52 extends substantially along the entireheight and width of the sash 51). A flexible weather stripping 54 isdisposed in each groove 52. The weather stripping 54 is of T-shapedconfiguration. The weather stripping 54 occupies the T-shaped groove 52on each side of the sash 5t) and extends therebeyond for contact withthe flange 34 or the side wall 28 on side member '12. The sash Stl isprovided with a radially extending flange 56 which acts as a finger gripfor moving the sash.

The sash '56 is made from extruded aluminum and is provided with a pairof spaced flanges 6t) and 62 which define a channel 58 therebetween. Apane of glass 64 is fixedly secured Within the channel 58 by weatherstripping 66 which is positioned on each side of the pane of glass 64.The pane of glass 64 is permanently secured to the sash 56 and ismovable therewith. A removable window frame of extruded aluminum 68 isdisposed in the sash St) between the wall or flange 62 and the wall 76.The window frame 68 is provided with a T-shaped groove adjacent one sidethereof, and a seal 72 is provided therein. Seal '72 acts as a weatherstripping between flange 62 and the window frame 63. It will be notedthat the window frame 68 extends into the sash 50 with wall 76overlapping a portion of the window frame 63. Window frame 68 isprovided with a pane of glass 74. The pane of glass 74 is fixedlysecured to the window frame 68 by weather stripping 76 which is disposedon each side of the pane of glass 74. As shown in FIGURE 2, the windowframe 68 is generally U- shaped and is provided with the pane of glassbetween the arms thereof. The panes of glass 64 and 74 are spaced apartby a space 78 which is approximately onefourth of an inch. Thus, thesash 50 may be considered a storm window. As used in this specificationand the appended claims, a storm window will be interpreted as a unitcomprising a pair of spaced window panes which are sealed around theirperimeter so as to have an essentially dead space therebetween whichacts as an insulation barrier. The seal means extending the periphery ofthe panes of glass 64 and 74 comprises seals 66, 72 and 76.

As shown more clearly in FIGURE 3, a latch housing 80 is fixedly securedalong one side of the sash 50. The latch housing 80 is secured to thesash 50 by screws not shown. A rod 82 is disposed within a central boreof the latch housing 80. Rod 82 is provided with a latch 84 on one endthereof. Latch 84 cooperates with recess 86- in center support post 22to releasably secure the sash 50 between the center support post 22 andthe side member '12. A spring 88 encircles rod 82 and biases the latch64 towards the center support post 22. The rod 82 is provided with aknob 90 which is pulled in a direction away from the center support post22 so that the latch 84 will be withdrawn from the recess 86. When thelatch 84 is 3,0 33 withdrawn from the recess 86, the sash 50 may bemanually moved by applying a force on the flange 56.

As shown in FZGURE 3, the sash 59 is provided witl a flange 92 whichcooperates with the flange 94 on the. center support post 22 to limitthe movement of the sash 56 in the direction of the side member 12. Thewindow frame 68 is provided with a plurality of flexible tabs 9 for apurpose described hereinafter.

The center support post 22 is hollow and is made from extruded aluminum.The center support post 22 is provided with a groove 32. and anextension as which cooperate with the screen frame and pull tab in thesame manner as set forth above. The center support post 22 is providedwith a plurality of screws 98 extending across the center support post22 in a radial direction. A window frame 63, identical with window framees, is disposed between the center support post 22 and the side member14-. The window frame 68' is provided with a weather stripping seal '72along one side thereor and a pane of glass '78. The pane of glass 73 issecured in the window frame 6% by weather stripping seals '76. Thewindow frame 68 is provided with a groove lilil extending along theentire height of the window frame 6%. The screws 98 extend through thecenter support post 22 and cooperate with the groove liltl to releasablysecure the window frame 68' between the center support post 22 and theside member 1.4. An insert m2 is provided in the center support post 22which cooperates with the extension ill tto support a pane of glass 1%therebetween. One face of the insert 192 cooperates with the seal 72' soas to provide an insulation space between the panes of glass 73' andres. Thus, the panes of glass '78 and we provide a storm window. Thepanes of glass 78' and 1% are provided with a seal means around theirextremities comprising seals 76' and 72'.

Referring to FTGURE 4, the side member 14 comprises an end wall 168 andside walls lift and 112. A flange 114 extends radially outward from wall16$. Flange 114 is provided with grooves 116 therealong. Wall lid isprovided with a flange 118 having a key 12% which extends to full heightof me wall 110. The window frame 68' is provided with a groove 122extending the full height of the window frame 63. The key 129 on theflange 118 extends into the groove 122 on the window frame 68'.

The extremities of the window frame 6% are shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. Thewindow frame 63 is removable from its position between the side member14 and the center support post 22 The window frame 62' is removed fromits position between the side member 14- and the center support post 22by unloosening the screws 98. When the extremities of the screws 93 arewithdrawn from the groove 1%, pull tabs 96 are pulled in a directiontoward knob 90. The groove 122 is of sufficient size so as to allow thewindow frame es to pivot about the key 1% when the pull tabs are pulledin a direction towards the knob 9%. Continuous pulling on the pull tabs96' will remove the window frame 68 from its position between the sidemember 14 and the center support post 22. Thus, the storm windowcomprising window frame es and the pane of glass 78' has been convertedto a window comprising pane of glass 166.

As shown more clearly in FIGURE 5, the top cross member 16 comprises anend wall 124 and side walls 126 and 128. A flange 135i extends radiallyupward from the end wall 124 and is provided with grooves therealong.The wall 128 is provided with an extension 132 which cooperates with thescreen frame 38 in the same manner as extension 36. Wall 128 is providedwith a groove 134 which receives the end of the pull tab 44 on thescreen frame 38. Wall 128 is provided with a flange 1.38 whichcooperates with the weather stripping 54 on the sash St in the samemanner as flange 34. Wall 126 cooperates with weather stripping 54 onsash 56' in the same manner as wall 28.

eases The bottom cross member 13 comprises a bottom wall Mill and sidewalls 142 and 144. The side wall 144 is provided with an extension 146which cooperates with the screen frame 33 in the same manner asextension 132. Bottom wall its is provided with a radially extendingflange 148 having grooves therealong. Wall 142 is pro vided with ahorizontal flange 1%. Wall 144 is provided with a horizontal flange 151which is opposed to flange 150. Wall 14-4 is provided with a flange 152-which cooperates with the weather stripping 54 on the sash 50 in thesame manner as flange 133. Wall 144 is provided with a groove 134 forreceiving the end of a pull tab on the screen frame 38. The groove 134in the wall 144 is provided with a drain hole 1%. Any water thataccumulates in groove 134: passes through drain hole 154 into the bottomcross member 18.

A track 156 extends the entire length of the inner edge of the bottomcross member 18. The track 156 is preferably made from a non-corrosive,self-lubricating synthetic resin such as Teflon. The track 156 isflexible enough so as to be snapped on the opposed horizontal flanges15d and 151. As seen in FIGURES 4 and 5, the track 156 has a centerportion lot} and raised side portions 153. The sash 5i rides on theraised portions 158 of the track 156. The central portion 160 of thetrack 156 collects moisture condensation and drippings from the processof washing the windows. Holes 162 are provided along the length of track156 in the center portion res. Any water accumulated in the centralportion 164), will pass through the holes 162 into the bottom crossmember 18. At spaced points along the length of wall 144*, ports 164.are provided. Pivoted flaps 166 are provided for controlling the ports164. The pivoted flaps 166 are gravity biased to their closed position.As water accumulates in the bottom cross member 18, the water willovercome the gravity biased flap 166 and discharge to the atmosphereoutside of a building in which the window unit is mounted.

The sash St} is manually movable along the track 156 from a position asshown in FIGURE 1 wherein the sash is co-extensive with the screen 42 toa position where it is co-extensive with the pane of glass 106. To movethe sash 59 along the track 156 from the position shown in FIGURE 1, theknob is pulled towards the operator and pressure is then applied to theflange 56. When the sash 50 is in the position shown in FIGURE 1, theweather stripping seal 54 is in contact with flanges 34, 94, 138 and 152on one side of the sash. Thus, the sash St is sealed to the side member12, the top cross member 16, bottom cross member 18 and the centersupport post 22.

As recited above, the sash 5% is provided with a storm window. Means areprovided enabling the window frame 68 to be removed from the sash 5%.The window frame 63 has one side portion which is co-extensive with wallTil as shown in FIGURE 2. The opposite side portion of window frame 68is aligned with the leading edge 69 on the sash 54 as shown more clearlyin FIGURE 3.. As shown more clearly in FIGURE 6, the window frame 68 isprovided with a groove 170 which extends along one edge of the windowframe 68. An internally threaded bushing 172 having a flange 174 issecuredly fixed to the sash 50. A screw having a knurled head 176 and ashank 178 is threaded through the bushing 172. The end of the shank 178extends into the groove on the window frame 68. As shown in FIGURE 1, aplurality of screws having knurled heads 176 are provided in the sashSt).

The window frame 68 is removed from the sash 50 as follows:

The knurled screw heads 176 are rotated until the screw end 186 iswithdrawn from the groove 176'. Then the pull tabs 96 are grasped andpulled towards the operator pivoting the side portion of the windowframe 68 shown in FIGURE 2. As the side portion of window frame 68 shownin FIGURE 2 is pivoted, the weather stripping seal 72 is deformed. Afterthe side portion of the window frame 68 shown in FIGURE 6 has clearedthe wall 182 of the sash 50, pressure is applied to the tabs 96 so as towithdraw the side portion of the window frame 68 shown in FIGURE 2.Thus, as the window frame 68 is moved from the sash 50, the window frame68 is being moved at an acute angle with relation to the sash 50.

The applicants window unit may be used solely with the pane of glass106. If desired the screen 42 may be provided. If desired the sash 50may be provided. Since the sash 50 is movable along the track 1'56, itis possible to utilize the window unit with the sash 50 disposed on theleft hand portion of the window frame overlying the pane of glass 106.If desired, the window unit may be converted into a storm Window byinserting the window frames 68 and 68 into the sash 50 and the spacebetween the center support post 22 and the side member 14, respectively.Thus, applicant has provided a Window unit which is versatile in itsrange of use. Except for the latch mechanism, the screws, the weatherstripping and the panes of glass, all of the remaining elements can bemade from extruded aluminum or plastic. The weather stripping seals arepreferably made from synthetic materials which are non-corrosive. Thelatch mechanism and the screws are preferably made from a non-corrosivematerial. Thus, the entire window unit will be non-corrosive.

While the latch mechanism has been shown as being a spring biased latchwhich cooperates with a recess in the center post, it is contemplatedthat the latch mechanism may be substituted by a latch mechanism of thepivoted type. While the means for retaining the window frames 68 and 68are shown as being a groove on the window frames and cooperating screws,other retaining means such as releasable detents may be substitutedtherefor.

As used hereinafter, the term frame support will be interpreted to meanthe side members 12 and 14, the top cross member 16 and the bottom crossmember 18.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, andaccordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, ratherthan to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of theinvention.

I claim:

1. A window unit comprising a frame support, a center support postdividing said frame support into two rectangular sections, a first stormwindow fixed to said frame support and occupying one of said sections,means sealing said first storm window to said frame support, a track insaid frame support extending the length of said sections, a second stormwindow selectively movable on said track across both of said sections,means sealing said second storm window to said frame support when saidsecond storm window occupies said second section, a latch mechanism onone side of said second storm Window, said latch mechanism selectivelycooperating with said center support post to secure said second stormwindow in a position overlying said second section, said second stormWindow includes a sash, pull tabs on one of the panes of glass in saidsash, said one pane of glass being mounted in a window frame having agroove extending along one side of the frame for the entire length ofsaid one side, and adjustable means extending through said sash andcooperating with said groove to releasably secure said window frame tosaid sash.

2. A window unit comprising a rectangular frame support, a track madefrom a self-lubricating material, means adjacent a central portion ofsaid track removably securing said track to said frame support insnap-fitted securement, said track having horizontally disposed portionsextending beyond the point where said track is secured to said frame, asash slidably mounted on said track on said portions, said sash beingmovable along the length of said track, said sash including a stormwindow, and means for releasably securing one pane of glass of saidstorm window to said sash, said last mentioned means including a spacein said sash enabling said one pane of glass to move in the plane ofsaid sash and pivot relative thereto.

3. The structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein said last mentionedmeans includes a groove on a window frame of said one pane of glass, anda threaded member extending through said sash and cooperating with saidgroove to releasably secure said pane of glass to said sash andselectively prevent entry of said pane of glass into said space.

4. A window unit comprising a frame support, a center support postdividing said frame support into first and second rectangular sections,a first storm window fixed to said frame support and occupying saidfirst section, means sealing said first storm wind-ow to said framesupport, a track in said frame support extending the length of saidsections, a second storm window selectively movable on said track acrosssaid sections, means sealing said second storm window to said framesupport when said second storm window occupies said second section, aspring biased latch on said second storm window mounted forreciprocation in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane ofsaid second storm window, means on said center post for cooperation withsaid latch when said second storm window occupies said second section,and means for removing a pane of glass from each storm window by tiltingthe same with respect to a sash within which said pane of glass isremovably mounted.

5. A window unit in accordance with claim 4 wherein said last mentionedmeans includes a threaded bolt extending through said sash forcooperative engagement with a window frame of said pane of glass, saidbolt releasably securing said window frame to said sash.

6. A window unit comprising a frame support, a center support postdividing said frame support into two rectangular sections, a first stormwindow fixed to said frame support and occupying one of said sections, asecond storm window on said frame support occupying the other of saidsections, means sealing each storm window to said frame support, each ofsaid storm windows including a sash having substantially parallel spacedpanes of glass, each pane of glass being mounted in a frame, a memberextending between and releasably securing a side of each sash to oneside of a frame for one pane of glass in each storm window, one frame ineach storm window being structurally interrelated with its respectivesash so that a side of each frame opposite to said one side thereon ispivotable with respect to its sash when said member is released, andfinger engaging pull tabs on said one frame of each sash for exertingthe force necessary to pivot and remove said one pane of glass from eachsash.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,629,143 Spector et a1 Feb. 24, 1953 2,663,917 Peterson 5 Dec. 29, 19532,676,366 Leevers et al Apr. 27, 1954 2,699,204 Davis Jan. 11, 19552,804,954 Gillespie Sept. 3, 1957 2,877,511 Viola Mar. 17, 19592,895,182 Evans July 21, 1959 2,917,792 Franzblau et a1. Dec. 22, 19592,918,706 Rust et a1 Dec. 29, 1959 2,949,647 Migneault et a1. Aug. 23,1960 2,953,824 Minick Sept. 27, 1960

